Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kaymi Butler. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kaymi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

High turnover within my organization was a challenge I hadn’t fully anticipated. As someone passionate about serving youth, I initially assumed that the job would be easy—after all, who doesn’t love kids? But what I failed to acknowledge was that people are ultimately driven by their own needs and priorities, which is completely understandable in certain circumstances.

In 2024, I found myself holding expectations that mirrored my own work ethic and mindset. I expected others to align with the same dedication and commitment I had, without fully considering their individual “whys.” I struggled to understand why some employees would break company protocol or openly defy instructions, thinking the solutions were simple—at least, they seemed simple to me. But that was the issue. What was clear to me wasn’t clear to everyone else.

I found myself making a lot of tough decisions, including letting people go, all because I was choosing grace over boundaries, potential over reality, and outlook over impact. As a new business owner, I wore many hats—accountant, HR manager, CEO, cook, driver, director, board member, and marketer, just to name a few. While I had done extensive research and had learned from watching my parents excel in their people-driven careers, when it came to managing the people I hired, I found it more difficult than I ever imagined.

This struggle eventually led to feelings of imposter syndrome. Unsolicited advice from people who hadn’t run a business or achieved the same level of success started to weigh on me. In some cases, this advice led to decisions being made on behalf of my business without my approval. I could go on and on about the hurdles I faced, but the important lesson came when I decided to hit the reset button. I went back to the drawing board and made the intentional decision to involve my team.

I admitted my shortcomings, scheduled pro-bono meetings with professionals, updated internal documents, and took the team to conferences and professional development sessions to improve morale. It became clear to me that I had never set proper boundaries. I had mistakenly tried to build friendships instead of partnerships. While it was difficult to deal with high turnover, I now realize that it was essential for finding the right people.

Today, I’m proud to say that we have a strong, dedicated team. Surveys have shown improvement, company morale is higher, and, most importantly, by the grace of God, I’m much less stressed. Leadership is about growth—both personal and professional—and I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kaymi Butler, and I am the Founder and CEO of Black Lemonade, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to turning “lemons into lemonade” for minority and underserved communities. Our mission is to invest in the minds of our community by educating and equipping individuals to find purposeful solutions that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Black Lemonade was born in June 2020 during a time of profound global uncertainty. I was having a conversation with a colleague about the state of the world when I looked to my left and noticed a stand of lemon decor. The quote, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” immediately came to mind, and that’s when the idea for Black Lemonade was sparked.

We currently offer youth programming in both Evansville, IN, and Nashville, TN, focusing primarily on summer camps and afterschool programs that help develop leadership skills in our youth. In 2025, we will expand our efforts to include scholarships, crisis intervention/prevention, transportation, and services for adults up to age 35.

I am incredibly proud of the ecosystem we’ve created where solutions take precedence over problems. We’ve developed numerous valuable partnerships since our inception, and I’m excited about the future as we continue to build new connections, make intentional impact, and foster a sense of belonging for everyone in our communities.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was a rebellious adolescent, the type where you couldn’t tell me anything! I relied solely on myself for knowledge and decision-making, and I didn’t consider anyone else’s input.

But I’m happy to say that mindset hasn’t existed for quite some time now. I always tell aspiring business owners that you must remain teachable, even in your passion, profession, or area of expertise. The world is constantly changing, and if we don’t adapt to the needs of our clients, we risk losing everything. It’s crucial to listen to your community, clients, peers, and data. Use their feedback to elevate not just yourself and your mindset, but your entire business.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Celebrations, acknowledgement, group outing, professional development together

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blacklemonade.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/offiicialblacklemonade
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialblacklemonade
• Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/company/black-lemonade0603
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/blklem
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@officialblacklemonade?si=UGk0mOGu58SRTA7a